subtropical

adjective

sub·​trop·​i·​cal ˌsəb-ˈträ-pi-kəl 

variants or less commonly subtropic

ˌsəb-ˈträ-pik 

: of, relating to, or being the regions bordering on the tropical zone

subtropical environment

subtropical grasses

Examples of subtropical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The virus is most prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, including Southeast Asia, the Western Pacific islands, Latin America and Africa. — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026

The yellow-legged hornet is native to the tropical and subtropical areas of Southeast Asia and has spread to parts of Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. — Dan Raby, CBS News, 7 Sep. 2026

Influenced by Barcelona legend Antoni Gaudí and American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Treister’s work in Miami blended modern architecture with art, sculpture and the lush subtropical South Florida landscape. — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026

Cyclospora has historically been found in subtropical climates, so for a long time, infections from food grown inside the United States were unheard of. — Dylan Scott, Vox, 27 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for subtropical

• intertropical
• neotropical
• topical
• tropical

Kids Definition

subtropical

adjective

sub·​trop·​i·​cal ˌsəb-ˈträp-i-kəl 

ˈsəb-

variants also subtropic

-ˈträp-ik 

: of, relating to, or being the regions bordering on the tropical zone

subtropical forests